

But younger listeners, who may have gravitated toward the tune while learning to play guitar-or just heard it on classic rock radio-might not have a clue what Ian Gillan was singing about. Presumably, most who heard it around the time it was released-first on Deep Purple’s 1972 Machine Head album and then as a single, which reached #4 in Billboard the following year-were familiar with the true tale it told it was big news at the time. You can’t not break into an embarrassingly manic air guitar pose as soon as you hear it!īut it’s the backstory that makes “Smoke on the Water” even more intriguing. “Smoke on the Water” 7-inch picture sleeveĮvery rock fan knows Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water.” For one thing, it has one of the most memorable signature opening riffs-four notes, in G minor, played on a Fender Stratocaster by Ritchie Blackmore-that any band has ever devised. Eagles Producer on the Making of the ‘Hotel California’ LP.Steven Tyler Featured in New Reelz Music Series, ‘Frontmen’.Radio Hits in December 1969: Leaving a Decade Behind.Robbie Shakespeare, Acclaimed Reggae Bassist, Dies.Cream: Rock’s Short-Lived First Supergroup.Bronski Beat Member Steve Bronski Dies at 61.

Stunning ‘Summer of Soul’ Film of ‘Lost’ 1969 Music Festival Gets Soundtrack.Gil Bridges, Co-Founder and Sax Player For Rare Earth, Dies.The Beach Boys’ ‘Good Vibrations’: Masterpiece.2021 in Review: The Best New Albums by Classic Rockers.Michael Nesmith’s ‘Lost RCA Recordings’ Includes Alternate Take of ‘Different Drum’.Michael Nesmith of The Monkees Dies at 78.10 Times the Beatles Used Pseudonyms on Records.Micky Dolenz Leads Tributes to Michael Nesmith: ‘I’m Heartbroken’.The Monkees’ ‘Farewell Tour’ Review: ‘1966 All Over Again’.John Lennon’s Supergroup The Dirty Mac: ‘Circus’ Performance.Here We Come… The Monkees’ Incredible First Year.When Dickey Betts Made a Surprise Appearance in 2018.
